Fay Hanniker

I have 18 years experience of working with couples and individuals facing relationship issues and challenges, having trained and qualified through Relate.  I work with people at all stages of relationships. People who come for relationship counselling, either as a couple or as an individual, may know they want to stay in their relationship but have a specific issue to address.  Others may be feeling less sure of the relationship. Others still may be working though separation or divorce.

About Relationship Counselling

Sometimes people feel they have drifted apart from their partner. They talk about feeling more like siblings or housemates rather than partners Perhaps children or work or some other focus means the couple relationship has almost been forgotten. So there is little or no emotional or physical intimacy. In these situations it is not unusual for one partner to be quite shocked when their partner tells them they are not happy.

Some people feel 'stuck' in their relationships - they may find themselves having recurring ,unresolved arguments or feel that communication has totally broken down. This unhealthy dynamic may feel even more difficult in the current situation. The uncertainty around Coronavirus may be creating a lot of anxiety and putting stress on the relationship. It may be that communication is be very strained at the moment and managing time together is very challenging.

Others have a sense of having fallen out of love or having lost mutual trust and respect. In these situations relationship counselling is essentially about exploring and understanding our own patterns of behaviour- helpful and unhelpful- and how these impact our partner. Then choices about finding ways to 'do' things differently can be made.

I also work with people whose relationship has hit crisis point - for example dealing with the aftermath of an affair or where when one partner is ready to leave the relationship.

Other clients I work with may be looking to manage the impact of separation/ divorce. Divorce and separation can be emotionally and financially draining. Counselling can be very effective in helping couples to separate with less hostility.

For couples who are also parents, a primary concern is often how children might be affected.In this area of my work I also draw on my extensive experience as a trainer working with parents to put aside their differences as former partners and put their children first. I also work with couples who are seeking to blend their families to manage the change of dynamics.

I also work with individuals who are struggling as they try to move on after the break up of a relationship or who find it difficult to sustain relationships.

Research has shown again and again that the therapeutic relationship - the relationship between the counsellor and individual/couple - is key to the effectiveness of counselling. My aim is to provide you with a safe place to explore your feelings and concerns, either with your partner or as an individual, so that you can come to an understanding of the issues faced without apportioning blame. I see my role as being to work non - judgementally with my clients to help them manage difficult, sometimes overwhelming, feelings so that ultimately they can make informed decisions about the future of their relationship.

How To Contact Me

If you'd like to know more about relationship counselling, you can read more on my website www.berkshirerelationshipcounselling.co.uk, contact me by phone or email me.

If you'd like to make an appointment, please contact me by phone or email.

£70 per hour.

I work in Wokingham with on site parking.